Richard Turnbull (theologian)

Richard Duncan Turnbull (1960 – 26 November 2025) was an English theologian and clergyman in the Church of England. He was the Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, an Evangelical Anglican theological college which is part of the University of Oxford. He stepped down in June 2012 following a long-running dispute,[1] becoming Director of the Centre For Enterprise, Markets and Ethics.[2]

Education and career

Turnbull was educated at the University of Reading (BA 1982) and St John's College, Durham (BA first class theology 1992, PhD 1997). He became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland in 1985. He also has an honorary Master of Arts degree from the University of Oxford in 2005.

Turnbull was ordained deacon in 1994 and priest in 1995. He served as assistant curate of Christ Church, Portswood (1994–1998) and vicar of Chineham (1998–2005).

Turnbull had also been a member of the General Synod of the Church of England (1995–2005), chairman of the Business Committee of the General Synod (2004–05) and chairman of working parties that produced reports on clergy pay and funding a theological education. He was a member of the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England (2003–2005) and chairman of the House of Clergy of the Diocesan Synod of the Diocese of Winchester (2000–2005).

Turnbull was appointed Principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford in 2005. He taught courses on Anglicanism, Anglican and Evangelical Identity and the Reformation. Before his death, he had been undertaking research projects in Evangelical spirituality and the future of Evangelicalism. He was a member of the committee that drafted the document "A Covenant for the Church of England".

In 2007, Turnbull controversially told a conference that 95% of Britons would go to hell unless the message of the gospel was brought to them.[3][4]

From 2017, he had been chair of trustees for the Christian Institute.[5]

Personal life and death

Turnbull was married to Caroline and they had four children.

Turnbull died on 26 November 2025, at the age of 65.[6]

Publications

References

  1. ^ "Wycliffe Hall - STATEMENT FROM THE WYCLIFFE HALL COUNCIL". www.wycliffehall.org.uk. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Richard Duncan Turnbull". Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  3. ^ https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/the-man-who-says-we-are-all-going-to-hell-450294.html
  4. ^ "Richard Turnbull: I didn't say you'll all go to hell". TheGuardian.com. 31 May 2007.
  5. ^ "THE CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE - Charity 1004774". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  6. ^ Revd Dr Richard Duncan Turnbull The Telegraph
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